7 October 2022
Media: Fair Go
Topic: Recycling
Enquiry
Fair Go is looking at the various approaches to Public Place recycling that are operational around the country (just to emphasise this is recycling in streets, parks etc, as opposed to home-based recycling).
As part of our research, we’d really appreciate getting the following information from each council:
- Does your council provide Public Place recycling bins?
- If so, are the bins for mixed recycling (comingled), or are there separate streams for glass / plastic / paper / food / tins, plus a bin for landfill?
- What is your estimate of the percentage of recycling contamination?
- What is your estimate of the percentage of the collected recycled material that ends up in landfill?
- What is the cost per tonne of recycling achieved through Public Place recycling?
- What is the cost per tonne of recycling achieved through home recycling schemes?
Do you have any comments you would like to make about the best way forward for recycling in public?
Response
Please see response to your questions below. Smart Environmental are working with a number of Councils on this media enquiry to provide data for questions 4,5 and 6 so we will not be able to provide a response to you on those questions today. As soon as we receive a response to those questions, I will send them through.
Response from Acting DCE Infrastructure and Environmental Solutions, Regan Fraser:
- Does your council provide Public Place recycling bins?
Rotorua Lakes Council has public recycling bins in some of our public spaces around the district, ranging from shopping centres to lakefront reserves. During the peak summer period (mid-December through to early February) we also provide glass recycling bins at key access points around our lakes. These glass-only bins are very effective and we are looking to do more of this in the future.
If so, are the bins for mixed recycling (comingled), or are there separate streams for glass / plastic / paper / food / tins, plus a bin for landfill?
We use a three bin system:
- Red bins for rubbish
- Yellow bins for comingled plastic, cans, tins, paper and cardboard
- Blue bins for glass only
What is your estimate of the percentage of recycling contamination?
We do get some contamination in the comingled bins. Contamination is mainly due to items not being washed properly before they are recycled, such as coffee cups and soft plastics.
What is your estimate of the percentage of the collected recycled material that ends up in landfill?
Waiting for data
What is the cost per tonne of recycling achieved through Public Place recycling?
Waiting for data
What is the cost per tonne of recycling achieved through home recycling schemes?
Waiting for data
Do you have any comments you would like to make about the best way forward for recycling in public?
Wherever possible, the best option is to take your recycling (and rubbish) home with you and dispose of it in your bins at home. This ensures recycling can be properly cleaned and separated before it goes into the bins.